Is my regular vet the first call in an emergency?

The answer

During opening hours, often yes. Your regular practice knows your pet's history and can advise whether to come in or go to an emergency hospital, and some practices set aside slots for urgent cases. Outside those hours, check the voicemail or website for their after-hours arrangements, since many name an emergency partner. For a possible poisoning or an obviously critical situation, call the nearest emergency clinic or an animal poison control line right away instead of waiting for the practice to open.